I spent last Saturday morning hating the world, as I performed various tasks of manual labor at my place of employment. As the day became progressively beautiful and fall-like, I became progressively resentful that I was forced to spend it indoors. Finally, at around 6 p.m., my friends came to pick me up and save me from my walled prison. Four of us piled into the car and began our drive home. As we turned onto one of the hilly roads that lead into the city of Morgantown, we descended into one of the most incredible sights I have ever seen. Hot air balloons filled the sky above Morgantown. Suddenly all the resentments and stresses I had built up during the work day were gone, as my heart lit up like a child on Christmas morning.

 

 

One weekend each fall, the Morgantown Board of Parks and Recreation hosts the "Mountaineer Balloon Festival." Thousands of people come to watch as the natural fall colors are enhanced by a vivid display of over 40 hot air balloons soaring over the mountains. This year the event took place October 8-11 and the balloons, food stands, amusement rides, bands and various displays attracted somewhere around 30,000 visitors.

 

As we drove deeper into town, it became nearly impossible for my friends and I to keep our eyes off this incredible sight. The sun was beginning to set, producing a golden glow on the colorful balloons, the falling autumn leaves and the river below. Barely able to focus on the road, my friend Meg began driving her car toward the general direction of the balloons. We found them just outside of town, landing in the fields and yards of local residents.  Inspired by what we found, we spent the rest of the day in the car, staring breathlessly out the window at all the colors that have taken over our town.

 

Driving around the back roads that surround my campus, encompassed by the warm glow of autumn, in a car filled with my best friends, I became overwhelmed with love for this state. There really is nothing like fall in West Virginia. On a day like last Saturday, it is easy to forget that seven coal burning power plants in the region have polluted Morgantown's air to the point it almost violates federal standards. It became unimaginable that relentless resource extraction continues to taint our waterways, scar our mountains, and destroy a culture that has endured generations of hardships. On a day like last Saturday, one's mind becomes consumed by the pure and simple beauty of rural Appalachia.  Why would anyone ever want to hurt a place like this?

 

I encourage everyone to pay a visit to the Mountain State this season. All the pictures and videos in the world cannot truly do it justice -- you have to see it with your own eyes. If anyone is free to travel this weekend, the 30th Annual Bridge Day Festival is taking place at the New River Gorge in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Grab a couple friends, jump in the car and experience the season. Fall was made for West Virginia.

 

Photos: Kristina Sandi